New activity was recorded today in the skies over Cyprus, with Turkish F-16 fighter jets causing disturbance over (occupied) Nicosia, while training flights of Greek F-16s from the “Andreas Papandreou” air base in Paphos continue.

The emerging picture points to a steady military presence on both sides, amid heightened tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Takeoffs from occupied Tymbou
Three Turkish F-16s took off in the afternoon from the illegal airport of Tymbou, with the noise of their engines heard across a large part of eastern Nicosia. It has not been clarified whether this was an exercise or an operational movement. The takeoff of the Turkish F-16s also affected a civilian Pegasus flight from Ankara, which remained on standby for about 20 minutes east of occupied Trikomo.

Information is still unclear, as some reports mention that six Turkish F-16s flew at low altitude over Nicosia, but there is no officially confirmed picture regarding the exact number of aircraft involved in today’s activity. What is certain is that Turkish F-16 flights were recorded over the Nicosia area today, causing strong concern among residents.

Greek flights from Paphos
On the other side, Greek missions from Paphos continue on a steady basis. According to reports, the flights of Greek F-16s are part of regular exercises aimed at maintaining a high level of readiness for crews and forces operating from the Paphos air base.

As early as March 12, it had become known that two Greek F-16s took off from Paphos as part of continuous personnel training and operational readiness, without any alarm being raised or any threat detected.

The following day, further takeoffs were recorded, with local media speaking of a third consecutive day of military activity. At the same time, the National Guard stated that Greek fighter jets are familiarizing themselves with the Cypriot FIR, and that further exercises and joint training are expected.

Today, Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias publicly referred to the Greek military presence in Cyprus, stating that Greece “has F-16s in the Republic of Cyprus” and two frigates covering it.

Flights by other countries are also part of the equation. Today, American and French air forces carried out reconnaissance and patrol flights in the Cyprus area, having submitted the necessary flight plans to the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, with the National Guard being informed.

This shows that Cypriot airspace remains heavily loaded with military activity, at a time when Cyprus lies at the center of a broader geopolitical arc stretching from the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean.